Middle School Recess
Dear ACPS Leaders,
Please bring back middle school recess.
As articulated in the Family Council advocacy letter, we believe all middle school students should have daily dedicated recess time. For every ACPS middle school, we encourage ACPS leaders to:
- Designate at least 20 minutes daily for unstructured recess time.
- Set reasonable and consistent procedures regarding recess cancellation (including weather and attire), and designate alternate physical activities when substitution is necessary.
- Ensure every middle school staff and faculty is aware of the ACPS Student Wellness Policy that discourages limiting recess as punishment.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
ACPS Families
(Click this Google Form to sign-onto this letter… info will appear automatically below.)
Heidi Gilman Bennett, Chair, ACPS Family Council -- I believe all kids deserve daily recess.
Kimberly Warnick, School Counselor and parent, Henley --
Sarah Surratt, Parent, Henley --
Brian ford, parent, Henley --
Celeste Zevgolis , Parent, Henley --
Zoya Coopersmith, Parent, Henley --
Heather Breeden , Parent, Henley --
Stacy Higgins, parent, Henley -- Our kids needs outdoor, free time every day for their mental health and physical wellbeing. It’s a proven fact outdoor time is best for everyone for better clarity and health. And to be able to socialize unstructured with friends.
Meghann olin, parent, Henley -- Recess w the use of no electronic devices
Ryan Woodbury, parent, ACPS --
Genevieve Baer, Supporter, Henley Middle School -- Kids should be kids and have time to play without screens. This will improve socialization skills and build important friendships.
Wayne Hamilton, parent, Henley -- Playtime during school is as essential as lunch. Simple.
Carrie Johnson, Parent, Henley --
Collister Johnson, Parent, Henley --
Lisa Tungate, Parent, Henley --
Erin Rowland, Parent of rising Henley student --
Cliff Rowland, Parent, Henley --
Allie Hill, Parent, Henley -- Students used to be able to get off the bus after arriving in the mornings, to get active time after a long bus ride and before a long day. This is gone along with the previous 7 minute recess, the brief time my kids would most look forward to during their entire school day.
The disadvantage of block scheduling keeps kids sitting for long periods of time, even though the principal impossibly claims that teachers get students moving every 20 minutes. Why must we choose between “educational time” and recess? Isn’t it proven that student’s attention span can’t last for the entire 83 minute block class? Why not give them 5 minutes of unstructured time during each 83 minute block class, allowing students a mental reset? I’m optimistic learning would improve even with the break!
Constance Wyant, Teacher, CATEC --
Audra Hancock, Parent, BWES Parent Rep --
Carmen Goodnight, Parent, Henley --
Ashley Spinelli, Parent, Henley -- I think a little outdoor time to decompress would be beneficial for all of our middle schoolers. I have actually met parents moving to the area who are almost certainly sending their kids to private school because Henley doesn't have recess.
Rebecca Tichner, Parent, Broadus Wood --
Simone Cote --
Lindsay Jobe, teacher and parent, Crozet elementary --
Violet Wysong, student, Henley -- School hours are very long so we should have a break other than lunch.
Davlisha Curry parent scottsville elementary --
Kelli Horowski, BWES --
Katelyn Sevin, Parent, Henley --
Christina Wysong, parent, Henley --
Kim Dowdell, Parent, Burley --
Curt Cote, Parent, Henley --
Neil Morrison, Parent, Agnor-Hurt -- Our child came home in second grade very concerned one day and told us, "Did you know there are no playgrounds at the middle school?!?" He was horrified to learn this from kids on the bus with older siblings in middle school. It was clear that he couldn't imagine a time where playgrounds wouldn't be a requirement at school, because recess was what he looked forward to all day. Time to spend with friends away from school classes. While playgrounds might not be as interesting to middle schoolers, social time with friends is a huge needed break from all the new academic demands at that age. We support bringing back middle school recess for all kids.
Alice Fox, Parent, Henley --
Kate Van Yperen, Parent, Henley --
Jennifer Sims, Parent, Lakeside -- If this was built into the middle school schedule across the division it would be easier to implement. It would help the transition from elementary to middle school. Additionally, it would help students take time to eat their lunch instead of the rushing to have a little additional time outside to play sports during the lunch block which is already fairly short.
Jennifer Stover, Parent of 5th Grader, Scottsville Elementary --
Kristi Carlson, Parent, Henley -- My ADHD child desperately needs recess to help her concentrate!
Adam Carlson, Parent, Henley --
Ashley Smith, Parent, Henley --
Erica Goode, Parent, Walton --
Rachel Yoder, parent, Burley --
Lindley Stakem, Parent, Henley & Murray Elementary -- While not only shown to support academics, mental and physical health, recess is the only time new students can engage and meet outside of the class to build a stronger school community.
Catharina Lindsey, Parent, Henley --
Henry, Henley --
Cort Stakem, Student, Henley -- N/A
Joe Grassi, Student, Henley --
Zane Ford, Student, Henley -- I miss recess
Meg Rader, Parent, Henley --
Karen McNeill Saielli, Parent --
Susan Klobuchar, Parent, Henley --
Elizabeth Wright, Parent, Henley --
Rachel Netland, future Henley parent --
Katherine Keating, Parent, Murray --
Jennifer Iyengar, Parent, V.L. Murray Elementary --
Melissa Woodruff, Parent, Henley --
Kathleen Ferraiolo, Parent, Henley --
Danielle Hayes, Parent --
Sarah Hogan, Parent, Murray Elementary --
Susannah Fuller, Western, Henley, Brownsville schools --
Ahna See, Parent, Henley --
Carolyn Johnson, Parent, Henley --
Nicole Richardson, parent, Henley --
Kate Shooter, Parent, Murray Elementary --